The Chechen fighter and Abubakar Nurmagomedov had to be separated in Abu Dhabi
Tempers flared on the sidelines of UFC 280 in Abu Dhabi as Chechen sensation Khamzat Chimaev brawled with fellow fighter Abubakar Nurmagomedov – who is the cousin of MMA icon Khabib.
Chimaev and Abubakar Nurmagomedov were cageside at the Etihad Arena as Islam Makhachev won the UFC lightweight title on Saturday night with a second-round victory over Charles Oliveira.
Makhachev’s success sparked jubilant scenes among his team inside the octagon, including with Khabib.
Team member Abubakar Nurmagomedov was watching on from close to the cage, having competed earlier on the card when he earned a decision win over fellow Russian Gadzhi Omargadzhiev.
Chimaev, who was in attendance in Abu Dhabi purely as a spectator, was seen clasping hands with Nurmagomedov as the pair were deep in discussion following the end of the main event.
The exchange initially seemed cordial, but rapidly turned nasty as Chimaev, wearing a black cap, appeared to lash out at Nurmagomedov, who responded in kind.
A scuffle ensued as security staff stepped in to diffuse the tensions, while Khabib was seen climbing onto the side of the cage but did not directly intervene.